Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas! Blogging and being in contact with you is a bright spot in my life. I have been blogging since 2008 and have been reading some of your blogs since then along with many more as time has progressed. I love your comments and try to let you know that I, too, enjoy the stories and pictures you put up for all to enjoy. I love the fact that we have a common thread between us - also common fabric - and we understand the excitement that comes from the process of quilting and creating beautiful and unique items. I love being an old sew and sew with you all! And I also know that there are those that read my blog that don't quilt - and I thank you for that.

Have a lovely Christmas and a healthy, happy 2012. God bless and take care. See you next week.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The first Christmas for this adorable little elf and he will soon be here with us. Lots of love awaits him as we enjoy the wonder of this sweet little boy. Aunt Hannah will see him for the very first time. So sweet. Of course, he will bring along his mommy and daddy and we are eagerly awaiting them, also. It'a been a long time since there were little ones in the family. A new generation has begun - and Henry is a perfect start in that department.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Twas a while before Christmas
And here in my kitchen
I was starting to bake and excited and itchin'
To make good stuff for my family
As I did in the past
Always at ease and reasonably fast.

No. 1: Ranger cookies started out strong
The first snag I hit didn't take long.
No Wheaties even though on
my list in plain sight
I certainly did not read the list right.

So, woe is me, off I go to the store
Got the Wheaties, brown sugar and a
few items more.
But I still had another snag pop right up
When I opened the oatmeal to measure a cup.
The date on the box, check it I did
But I really, really should have opened the lid!
Teensie brown buggies resided inside
They scurried around trying to hide.
Into the garbage the icky thing did go
So what now? Another trip to the sto'?
I looked in my pantry and what did I see?
Some "Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal"
staring at me
It was not "outdated" and all sealed up tight.
I opened a packet and it was alright.
By sifting the contents the maple sugar was gone
And there was the oatmeal all on its own.
So I finished the dough and it waits where it's cool
For baking tomorrow in time for the Yule.

No. 2: Yummy Peanut ButterFudge is done
and came out pretty well
Got hung up on amounts of pb and marshmall
Ow-- a tiny bit grainy but good just the same
You win some, you lose some
That's part of the game

No. 3: Nutty O's are all done and cooling
Made of low caloried Cheerios - who am I fooling?
The butter, brown sugar and syrup make them yummy
But they do have a tendency to fluff up your tummy.

Tomorrow I'll bake the cookies and I will be lovin'
The wonderful smell that comes from my oven.
I have at least one more thing I am planning on making
And after that, that's it for the baking.

I think.(In the picture of me at the top of this post, I am wearing an apron that Sherry made for me many moons ago somewhere in the late 70's or early 80's. And she embroidered the initials. She did beautiful counted crossstitch, too, before it became so popular. I always feel so dopey taking a picture of myself! One more little bit of information, the pages with the recipes are from a cookbook I did with lots of my recipes from over the years. It was done in 1996 when we got the computer. I made it for the girls and Sherry and Ann each have one, also. One went to my dear sister and I think her granddaughter has it now and I have one. I loved doing that and they are used.)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I'm not doing much in the way of working on projects as we count down the last few days until Christmas. My cards are done and ready to go into the mail tomorrow. Still to come are some things that I ordered - however it would not be catastrophic if they didn't arrive in time. This afternoon I had a super nap and I have become very proficient in that department. Seems like I just don't get done in a day anywhere near what I used to accomplish. I think anymore I try to operate with the idea that if something doesn't get done it really doesn't matter, and I think I am really getting the hang of that.

Now as to the darling little fishy purse........something I spotted on Pinterest. I spend a bit of time there (tsk, tsk) looking at all the wonderful eye candy and especially at things I would love making but probably won't make many of them. There is a tutorial for the purse at

Just a little sample of what is on Pinterest. Any interest you have in anything is represented there. Lots of fun - and also a lot of good recipes! If you haven't been there, here is a link to my boards http://pinterest.com/caroldb/. See what you think.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Home from Mozambique!! Tonight Sherry and Barclay drove to Detroit to pick Hannah up for her stay at home. They stopped by my house and were here for a few minutes. Oh, my, how good it is to see that sweet girl again and she looks wonderful. It's late, so they didn't stay long but I will see her tomorrow and look forward to hearing her stories of her experiences in the Peace Corps. This picture is Hannah at six or so wearing a dress that I made Sherry lots of years ago. Where has the time gone?

Another Christmas, another sweet granddaughter. Here is Molly all dressed for dinner. They had come from Michigan to Illinois for Christmas and everyone was dressed very casually as most families are. Before dinner, Molly went in and dressed up in her pretty dress and red shoes. One of my favorite memories.

Yet another Christmas, even longer ago and the first sweet granddaughter. The kids went on a trip to Colorado while we were still living in Kansas and we had Norah and so thoroughly enjoyed Norah sitting. The little table and chairs that were Sherry's was in the family room for her to play with. There was a candy tin full of old jewelry that the girls all played with over the years. Such sweet times.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Probably taken in 1980 or 81, the bed in my sewing room holds things I made that year. It was the year of the braided stuffed coil wreaths, my needlepoint angel (there were three of those) the stuffed Christmas tree and 2 spoondoll wreaths. I know not where most of that has gone but I do have the angel. There is also a glimpse of some of the many needlepoint pillows that were piled on that bed.

﻿Here are Mr. and Mrs. Claus sitting on the mantel in our home in Overland Park. I think I showed these last year, too. A favorite of mine, I also made a pair for Sherry and for Ann. They sit in front of the sampler dated 1843 made by my husband's great grandmother, Mary Anne Wiley, when she was 10 years old. It's precious.

I made a lot of spoon dolls and used them on a swag between the living room and dining room. This one went into a wreath. Wonder where that went? Don't these all look vintage?

Here is our little Christmas room. Ray and I worked with miniatures a lot and had three dollhouses one of which was in an old tv or stereo cabinet. He made this little box room - probably about 12". Some of the little toys were purchased but he made the rocker and table. I crocheted the rug and made the curtains and lace tablecloth (a circle from a lace doilie). Sherry still puts this out for Christmas.

And here is vintage me. Those were the days of hanging plants and I had a lot of them all hanging in macrame hangers that I tied. Fun to look back on past Christmases.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Here is one of the first Christmas things I made after I started quilting. This is probably from the late 70's or early 80's. Again, it shows the choice of fabric that you found back then. This doesn't hang on my fireplace, but I just wanted to get a good picture of it. I also had a big wreath I made by stuffing long tubes of fabric and twisting them together. Can any of you remember those? No idea of what I did with that one.

This is a vintage wreath that was in my mother-in-law's things. I'm pretty sure it isn't aluminum but could be wrong on that. There used to be something we called "tinfoil" but it's been so long ago. Anyway, no matter what it is, it's rather a pretty little thing. As you can see, I have been putting out some Christmas in my house and have a pretty good little mess going which needs to be cleaned up. Just needed to sit down and take a break so thought I would do a post. This morning I did some shopping on line - so some things are taken care of. Time to get back to the job at hand. Have a good weekend!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Looking around on different blogs, I found these cute fabric covered lollipops and a video showing how to make them. They are, of course, made in the same way as fabric covered bowls but much, much smaller and more doable. I posted the video on our quilt guild blog - Pass the Tiara. If you would like to take a look at it, simply nudge the little yellow chicken on my side bar and you will be there in a jiffy. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Slowly, slowly, a start on getting my house decorated for Christmas. No longer the whirlwind I used to be in getting things done, it takes me so much longer to do things. Sometimes I feel like I am doing something wrong but then I'm intelligent enough to know that actually I probably have done some things right and that I am so blessed to be able to do what I do at my age. So, if I don't get all the decorating, shopping, etc., that goes along with this lovely season, it will still be lovely and a very, very special Christmas this year. The pretty poinsietta came home with me Sunday evening when I had dinner with Sherry and Barclay. What says Christmas louder than a poinsietta?

This little white chamber pot full of Christmasy things sits on top of the piece that holds my tv. My "arrangements" are always just kind of stuffed in a holder. I think I have old newspapers crumpled up in the bottom of this one. It looks okay, though.

And here is the wreath beside the front door. I took the faded little old snowman off and replaced it with a perky new Santa Claus. It looks pretty good. May tackle my mantel and hang some of the wallhangings, etc. Still don't know if I will bring up the tree that is already decorated or not. Time will tell. Again, Ho, Ho, Ho!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

An e-mail with this darling picture of Henry came from Norah yesterday and she said she just had to send it to me. Henry's great grandfather (who would just love and adore this little boy) took lots of naps in his recliner over the years and this was the position he always assumed. I am sure in the albums I have more than one picture of him "resting his eyes" as he used to say. So maybe that gene has passed on to this little doll! I'm so looking forward to Christmas to see him again.

Working on a stocking for him for Christmas. Here's a peek, but I'm hoping it's not too busy. It might have been better if I chose a different applique. We'll see. I do like the strip piecing, though.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

I found this on Pinterest and it made me laugh out loud, really! Potty humor, I know, but so darned cute to see a Christmas elf fishing for "goldfish" in pretty blue water. I have a couple of little vintage elves but they are dressed in green. I don't plan to set up a little still life in my bathroom, however. Such a clean, sparkly bathroom!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Around six inches of snow fell here starting early in the evening yesterday. Beautiful, but deep. The service that takes care of our plowing was here bright and early so it would be no problem getting out. That is one of the main reasons for condo living when you get older.

The little red berries showing up against all the white loveliness are on the mountain ash in front of my house.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

First of all, I am sorry this is not a really clear shot of this gorgeous quilt, but I am certain you can get the idea of it's beauty. Yesterday afternoon, my friend Leslie and her awesome daughter (what a terrific young woman!!) stopped by carrying something in a trashbag. Leslie had written in a comment to one of my posts about something her BIL had given her and she was overwhelmed when she saw it. It was this beautiful, crossstiched quilt in absolutely perfect condition with beautiful stitching. A stunner!

I took a couple of closeups and they are much more in focus. Her BIL got this at a church auction and, if I remember right, it was done by two sisters and finished about thirty years ago when the sisters were in their seventies. Evidently, the ladies had a falling out, and the quilt was never used. It's exquisite. It looks as if it was pre-marked - quilting lines and even lines to separate the blocks. When you hold it up to the light, you can tell it is a whole cloth and it may have been a packaged kit. I have seen some quilts like this but never one so stunning. It is so much prettier in one color than it would have been in multiple colors.

﻿Some of the blocks are repeated several time and others look like the same blocks but have different flowers or birds in them. Leslie said she has so many times heard people say they have come into something wonderful - like a Singer Featherweight for next to nothing - and now she has this gorgeous quilt that she got from a very savy brother-in-law who knew just where something like that should go and where it will be treasured. Taking it to Leslie ensures an existence of care and appreciation from her and from Elle, also. Hats off to that BIL!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Here are Hannah and Molly in Africa together. Heavens, who would have thought those little girls would have ever been any place like that! In this photo, they are at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. Molly was there for two weeks and spent Thanksgiving with Hannah and her fellow PCV's. Also, there is a new post up on Hannah's blog telling about the things they did while together.

They took a guided tour and saw animals. Some of them were pretty close. Hannah talks about it in her post.

﻿Pretty picture - looks almost like a painting.

With their guide and a rhino in the background. Hannah is basically on her way home now - will be here in three weeks. She will be doing some sightseeing with friends before catching the plane for home. It is going to be so good to see her!!!!!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Paid a visit to Joann's yesterday afternoon with coupons, of course, and found things I could purchase with them. Lots of the time you cannot as what you are looking for is usually on sale. Found this book "The Flirty '30''s" and it's a cute one - right up my alley. Also bought some tea towels for applique or embroidery and a ball of Sugar and Cream.

A year or two ago, Leslie game me a knitted dish cloth and I really like it. Can't knit, but can crochet and that's what I am doing - isn't that neat yarn? It's a mindless pattern and goes quickly. Love the scrumptious colors.

A page from the book - very cute applique pattern and

two more nice patterns. Don't know when I think I will get all this done, but just love having it around.

And a note about my two granddaughters in Africa. My daughter talked to them yesterday and they are having a great time. They went back to Hannah's site a day or so ago, and Molly said everyone was waiting for them. Molly told her mom they all love Hannah and she doesn't have to worry about Hannah - she's "sassy" and knows how to negotiate to get what she wants! What an impact this time in the Peace Corps will have on the rest of her life. It is very, very hot and Molly is not used to that, but is having a wonderful time anyway. Actually, they will be spending Thanksgiving with a big group of PC volunteers and then Molly will be on her way home day after. Hannah will be doing some more traveling and will be basically on her way home for Christmas. School has been out there for a time now. Am so anxious to see her and hear all her stories! We also skyped with Norah in Denver and got to look at Henry. My, he is growing and changing and adorable. And to top it all off, Barclay cooked steaks, Sherry made the great spinach salad and baked potatoes, and pumpkin bread. My private 5-star restaurant!! (Click to enlarge)

Friday, November 18, 2011

The pattern for the ten minute table runner has been floating around for some time now, and the other day I made one. Only exception is that I decided to do some applique and it turned out it took quite a while to do the three snowflakes. They look so simple, but there are five little extensions on each arm of the flake so that was lots of stopping, turning and going again. I did some of those on runners a couple of years ago and now remember that they were pretty tedious. However, a simpler flake could be used. Another thing I would change about this is the length and the width. It's kind of short and stubby. The fabric is to be cut width of fabric, but I wanted the rows to go up and down and I only had a yard of the striped. Therefore, instead of being approximately 42 inches long, it was 36. The main fabric (in this case the red with the appliques) was to be cut 10 to 12 inches wof. I cut it 12. Next one it will be 10. The printed was cut 18 inches wide and I think I might cut that a bit smaller, also. If I had not appliqued, it really would have been super fast! (Click to enlarge)

Monday, November 14, 2011

Tucked away in the basement in a container were these little embroideries I did a couple of years ago with the intent of making wallhangings. Good intentions should be carried out, but, alas, that is not always so. I also had four kitchen towels I bought way back when that I was going to applique for Christmas, also. Guess what - that didn't get done either. The other day I got to thinking about ordering some more towels and doing them Christmasy (is that a word?). I do a lot of ordering from http://www.ericas.com/ - they are fast and accommodating. I had a lightbulb moment - why not border the little embroideries and either fuse or sew them to towels which would have nine of them done very quickly.

﻿I have four towels that are white with a red trim and I am going to use four of the figures without the words, etc., on those. There will be some towels left and I ought to be able to do some simple appliques on those. So we shall see if I get this project finished or not. Anymore, I am slower than molasses in January but as long as I keep going, I am content!

(Click to enlarge - this is a different format now so sometimes it doesn't do it, but you can give it a try!)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

This is Jolly Boys Packpackers in Zambia where my two youngest granddaughters are now staying. Molly had a long flight from Portland - she left Friday evening-and she arrived this morning for a two week stay in Africa with Hannah. Hannah had gone to Zambia and was able to go on the bus from Jolly Boys to meet Molly's flight so the two sisters are now together for a two week adventure. How great is that?

They will see Victoria Falls and I know they have made other plans for this wonderful experience. The technology today is incredible - Sherry has talked to them already. It will be exciting to hear what they do. They will eventually make their way back to Hannah's site and meet her students and coworkers. Then about the middle of December, Hannah will be coming home for a visit over Christmas and her first visit with her new little nephew, Henry. Exciting times.

Friday, November 11, 2011

This has been a quick week. Two days I spent in a class with twelve other quilters doing a fused flower wall hanging. The construction of the piece was quite time consuming and it also entailed fabric painting. I did not get mine done and will probably not get back to it until after Christmas. I intended to take my camera and forgot both days. Some of the girls finished their pieces and they were lovely. Sorry I don't have photos.

This picture and the one at the beginning are my Christmas cactus blooming nicely. Always in late October and early November. The color is so bright it is almost neon.

Here are three of my favorite antiques all in one little group. The spool cabinet is one that was an anniversary gift from my husband a long time ago. He gave our daughter money and she found this at a wonderful antique store in Lawrence, Kansas, called Quantral's Flea Market. I so love this piece. It was probably used on a counter in a notions department at a department store years ago. We added the legs which could be easily removed, but I love it as a side table. I had enough of the old spools of thread to fill the fronts of the drawers. On top sits my first ever antique purchase. An old hotel in Ft. Madison, Iowa, sold out the furnishings and I got this old pitcher and bowl for $1.50. I never had much to spend on things like that in the 50's so I was elated to have this neat old set.

This is the chamber pot that my dad got from the old lady who owned our house and had a summer cottage close by. He took care of her place. When we came over from Iowa to visit my parents and I saw this I flipped. It came back home on the train with us.

Pieces of the Past

Here's Henry

And Here's Annie

And Here's Lauren

About Me

My name is Carol. I am a quiltaholic. I am now 85 years old and have been blessed with a wonderful family and good health. Keeping busy is no problem for me - in fact, I don't do much cleaning and cooking anymore. I have been quilting for about 35 years. Working on this computer is so amazing - how glad I am that I got in on this in my lifetime.

Funoldhag

(Selfies are in - I was gritting my teeth and taking pics of myself the other day. OMG, I hate how I look on the cellphone screen. However, there is the great delete button that you can get rid of the many bad pictures. I thought this one wasn't too bad so here is a current pic of Funoldhag.) AKA Carol---------My middle granddaughter and I used to tease and call each other silly names. She called me "the old hag" but always with a twinkle in her eye. I added "fun" to it and used it as one of my screennames.

The Start of it All

In 1972 when we moved to Overland Park, Kansas, I was given some quilt blocks by my neighbor. She knew I sewed and these had been made by her mother. She was in her 70's at that time. I put the blocks together with like white blocks. We would go to Arkansas a couple of times a year to fish and would always visit Eureka Springs, a darling little town in the Ozarks. I had never quilted but found a quilt shop there and eventually took the top to have it quilted in Arkansas. The backing and batting were included in the price of $50.00 for hand quilting. I took two other quilts down there before I finally started quilting them myself.